Key influencers from Masters of Wine (MW) and Master Sommeliers (MS) through to UK and Irish importers and press are urging their colleagues to explore the diversity of Australian wine, claiming the evolution of new styles – many showcased at the tastings – has made the category more exciting than ever.
Jo Ahearne MW, who attended the London event and participated in its new initiative 'The Great
Aussie Taste-Off', said the market is primed to discover the new face of Australian wine.
'The exciting thing is that there is no such thing as 'one Australia'. There's all the regions and people
can start exploring that now - I think people are ready,' she said.
London's Australia Day Tasting on 26 January had record attendance exceeding 1,230 guests and
featured more than 1,000 wines from more than 240 brands across 80 tables of exhibitors.
The annual tasting was complemented by 'The Great Aussie Taste-Off', a new feature that saw three
pairs of MWs and MSs battle it out for the best Australian wine match to dishes created by Michelinstarred
chef Roger Jones of The Harrow at Little Bedwyn. The competition was fierce, but the crown
went to the MSs who ultimately won the challenge against the MWs with an audience vote that saw
them take out two of the three rounds.
The Australia Day Tasting then showcased more than 250 wines in both Dublin and, for the first time
in seven years, Edinburgh. Both events were well attended and featured trade master classes on the
history and evolution of Australian wine, while Dublin included an inaugural consumer tasting in the
evening.
In Ireland, The Irish Times' wine correspondent John Wilson said Australian wine is making a
comeback.
'I think Australia's been through a difficult period in Ireland in the last four or five years but I can see it
coming out of that. I think it's a combination of currency and style but I think Australia has risen to the
challenge and is actually primed to do very well in the next four or five years,' he said.
Negociants UK exhibited at all tastings, with managing director Simon Thorpe MW describing the vibe
as 'upbeat' and interest 'sky high' at each event.
'The days were busy, the flow of people manageable. We now, as an Australian industry, have to take
advantage of these good noises,' he said.
'Australian wine has been on an upward curve for some time now, but trend is all about momentum,
and if the momentum turns with us then we will be hard to stop. We still have work to do translating
positivity into commercial success at higher price points, but there's no doubting we are heading in
the right direction.'
Meanwhile restaurateur Xavier Rousset MS, who also participated in 'The Great Aussie Taste-Off',
observed changes to acidity, drinkability, oak aging and purity of fruit being among the Australian wine
trends leading the charge.
'Australian wine is just becoming better and better to drink at the table,' he said.
As a new exhibitor, Vinteloper founder and winemaker David Bowley said he was impressed by the
calibre of attendees.
'The Australia Day Tasting (London) has been amazing. There are so many people here seeing my
wines for the first time so I couldn't be happier to share that with them in this exciting environment –
it's great'.
Wine Australia Regional Director UK and Europe Laura Jewell MW said the positive responses from
the events indicated a new chapter for Australian wine in the UK and Irish markets.
'These were our most successful Australia Day Tastings ever and the feedback from exhibitors and
guests attests to a renewed enthusiasm for Australian wine that we will continue to champion,' she
said.
'We attracted more winemakers in market than we have previously to help tell our stories of people,
place and provenance and we now need to ensure that we build on what has been a very positive
start to the year.'
The tastings echo the positive sentiment revealed in Wine Australia's recent Export Report December
2015 which shows the value of Australian wine exports increased 14 per cent to $2.1 billion – its
highest growth since October 2007.
